Port to honour dead player in AFL

Port Adelaide will retire John McCarthy's jumper number for an AFL season before handing it to a player who represents the values of the dead footballer.

Port player McCarthy died in an accidental fall from a Las Vegas casino roof last September on an end-of-season trip with some teammates.

Port has announced a series of tributes for McCarthy, including dedicating the club's first home game next season, against Greater Western Sydney on April 6, as a tribute match for the popular clubman.

The club will also retire McCarthy's number 35 next season, before choosing a player deemed to represent McCarthy's values to wear it the following year.

An award in McCarthy's name will be introduced by the club, while his name will also be linked to an as-yet undetermined charity fundraiser during Port's June 29 home game against Collingwood, who McCarthy played for before joining Port.

"We have considered a great number of suggestions, including many from our supporters, before committing to what the club and John's family feel are fitting and meaningful tributes," Port chief executive Keith Thomas said in a statement on Wednesday.

"John's family has made it clear, most significantly at his funeral, that they want his teammates to play with John's spirit and his love of life more than be driven by his memory or their grief at his loss.

"They want everyone to share that attitude."

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